Quick Lock Kettlebell Handle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new handle for adapting kettlebell weights and for new modes of lifting weights.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

U.S. provisional application No. 61/382,691 dated Sep. 14, 2010 thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new handle for adapting kettlebellweights and for new modes of lifting weights.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to exercise devices and methods of usethereof. In particular, the invention relates to a handle for convertingstandard weights into kettlebell weights.

Mixed martial arts has become very popular and with it has come a newwave of work out routines that come from years past. Today, martialartists old proven techniques to improve strength and performance basedon current needs. A wide variety of weight training are known, includingthe fixed or variable weight type of exercise machines, cast dumbbells,and the free weight/bar combination. However, owning a useful set ofweights with the weights available in various sizes is difficult due tohigh costs.

There are a couple of basic forms of dumbbells and most have a fixedweight. Fixed weight dumbbells are ubiquitous in today's gyms. However,kettlebells have a generally asymmetric weight that challenges musclesuniquely and therefore generally are only available in limited orspecialized training facilities. Various adjustable dumbbells have beendeveloped. A representative example includes, for example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,948,123; 4,556,690; 4,913,422; 4,900,016; 4,880,229; 4,743,017;and 4,529,198. Each of these references, however, addresses only certainaspects of an adjustable dumbbell, such as releaseability, interlockingof the weights, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a releasable handle that adapts any commerciallyavailable dumbbell into a kettlebell.

Additionally, the handle can be adapted to rotate about an axis thatallows the user to shift the center of mass to create unique weightlifting pathways to target muscles in unique ways.

Additionally, the invention provides a method of exercise comprising theuse of the kettlebell invention.

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, it is the object of thisinvention to provide a quickly releasable handle that can mount anddetach from commercially available dumbbells. It is also desirable tohave the handle adjust to various orientations about the dumbbell tocreate different centers of mass to challenge the weight lifter andaccommodate different ranges of motion than would otherwise be possiblewith a fixed dumbbell.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reading and consideration of the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded line view of a preferred embodiment with thehandle and locking mechanism separated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective line view of a preferred embodiment with thehandle and locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded surface view of a preferred embodiment with thehandle and locking mechanism separated.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in thelocked position without a dumbbell.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in thelocked position with a dumbbell.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a solid work preferred embodiment in thelocked position without a dumbbell.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front side view of a solid work preferredembodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell.

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of a solid work preferred embodimentin the locked position without a dumbbell.

FIG. 9 is a perspective oblique view of a solid work preferredembodiment in the locked position without a dumbbell.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a solid work preferred embodiment in thelocked position without a dumbbell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not forpurposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows an exploded line drawing ofa preferred embodiment. There are four main components comprising ahandle 10, an upper body 20, a lower body 30, and a bottom cap 40 thatare releasably linked together. The handle 10 has a handle portion 11comprising a loop structure that attaches to the handle body 12 in twolocations (though different designs could comprise more or fewerattachment points). The handle body 12 further comprises a handle bodyreceiver 13 which is designed to mate with a threaded top cap 51 at athreaded top cap projection 52. The threaded top cap projection 52 iscylindrical and projects down into the handle body receiver 13 which hasa slightly larger diameter so that the threaded top cap 51 can freelyturn. The handle body 12 further comprises handle body grooves 14 thatradiate from the center axis of the handle 10. The handle body grooves14 interdigitate with upper body ridges 24 to lock the orientation ofthe handle 10 relative to the dumbbell (not shown). In the preferredembodiment the handle 10 has eight handle body grooves 14 that allow thehandle 10 to rotate at forty-five degree increments relative to thedumbbell 80. Alternative embodiments could utilize a greater number ofhandle body grooves 14 to increase the number of potentialconfigurations. In a further embodiment the handle body bottom surface15 could have various concave shaped modifications that could receivecomplementary convex shaped modifications on the upper body top surface25. For example, a golf ball like handle body bottom surface 15 couldmatch contact with the upper body top surface 25 in almost anyorientation along the handle 10 axis. The handle 10 is fixed inorientation relative to the upper body 20 via the upper body threadedconnector 21 which passes through the handle body central axis 16 andwasher 17 (optional) and into the threaded top cap receiver 56. Thethreaded top cap 51 additionally comprises the threaded top capprojection 52 that aids alignment and stability of the attachment of thehandle 10 to the upper body 20. The surface of the threaded top cap 51serves as a gripping point for the user's hand to tighten and fix theposition of the handle 10 or loosen the handle 10 and allow freerotation to the desired orientation. The upper body 20 and lower body 30mate together at the frontside upper body surface 22 and frontside lowerbody surface 32 and the backside upper body surface 23 and the backsidelower body surface 33 mate, respectively, in the closed position. Thefrontside and backside define a passage 81 to receive a dumbell 80 (notshown). The upper body 20 and lower body 30 are connected at the frontby a quick release 60 that comprises a quick release body 61 and a quickrelease head 62. The upper body 20 and lower body 30 are connected atthe back by a sliding plate 65. The sliding plate 65 has a top mounthole 66 and a lower mount hole 67 that accommodate an upper pin 68 and alower pin 69. The upper pin 68 flexibly mounts the sliding plate 65 tothe upper body 20 at upper body mounts 28 and the lower pin 69 flexiblymounts sliding plate 65 to the lower body 30 at the lower body mounts38. When the quick release 60 is in the unlocked and open position, theupper body 20 and lower body 30 may pivot relative to one another toform a c-shape and expose the dumbbell mounting surface 37. In analternative embodiment, either the upper body 20 could have modifiedupper body mounts 28 that are shaped like parallel tracks instead ofsimple circles adapted for receiving the upper pin 68 that would allowthe upper pin 68 to keep the sliding plate 65 attached to the upper body20 but allow freedom of movement along the vertical axis. This couldmake opening and accessing the dumbbell mounting surface easier than asimple pivot. Additionally, the sliding plate 65 could accommodatelarger dumbbell handles in the dumbbell mounting surface 37 if it couldmove along the vertical axis. The alternative embodiment should not beconstrued to limit the modification of the upper body mounts 28 as thesole method of achieving a variable sized dumbbell mounting surface 37.It would be similarly possible to modify the lower body mounts 38 toallow freedom of movement or to modify both the upper and lower bodymounts 28,38. The quick release 60 is comprised of a quick release body61, a head 62, a threaded end 63, a head mount hole 64, and a head mountpin 74 that is attached to the upper body 20 at the upper body headmounts 29. The head mount pin 74 passes through one side of the upperbody head mount 29 then through the head 62 and in to the other side ofthe upper body head mount 29. The quick release body 61 can pivot awayfrom the lower body 30 in the unlocked and open position while remainingattached to the upper body 20 via the head 62. The quick release body 61can remain flush against the upper body 20 and lower body 30, but in thepreferred embodiment, the upper body 20 has a quick release headreceiver 72 with upper body mounts 29 on either side adapted to receivethe head 62 and head mount pin 74. The upper body 20 may be furtheradapted to have a grove to adjust the angle of the quick release body 61relative to the lower body 20 in the closed position. The quick releasebody 61 is parallel to the vertical axis when the quick release body 61is in the closed position. To lock the quick release body 61 in theclosed position, the threaded end 63 is inserted into a bottom cap 40 atthe bottom cap quick release hole 41. The threaded end 63 of the quickrelease body 61 is further locked in place with a wingnut 42. The bottomcap 40 can be adapted to have a flat bottom surface 43 to set on thefloor. In a preferred embodiment the bottom cap 40 can have a lowprofile so that a dumbbell will set on the floor and the bottom cap 40will be suspended over the floor. The bottom cap frontside surface canbe sloped in a preferred embodiment to accept the quick release body 61with a sliding plate 65 mounted at upper body mounts 28 and lower bodymounts 38 wherein the upper body 20 and lower body 30 pivot at fixed afixed distance. The lower body bottom surface 39 could be tapered tohave a complementary surface to the bottom cap top surface 45. Thebottom cap 40 may have a recess in the bottom surface 43 to recess thewingnut 42 so that the wingnut 42 cannot catch on clothing or othermaterials during use.

When the quick release body 61 is in the open position the upper body 20and lower body 30 are free to open and receive a dumbbell 80. Thedumbbell mounting surface 37 is disclosed as a smooth surface, butalternative embodiments could be designed to accommodate commerciallyavailable dumbbells. Additional features could include surfacemodification to increase texture to improve grip so that the dumbbell 80will not slip or move once the quick release body 61 is in the closedand locked position.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment in the closed and locked position.FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment in an exploded solid state.The handle 10, upper body 20, the lower body 30 and bottom cap 40 areconstructed of machined metal. However, it may be possible to producehandle 10, upper body 20, the lower body 30 or bottom cap 40 with diecast metal. Alternatively, parts may be made of high strength polymersto reduce weight and cost. FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment in aclosed and locked position. Additionally, the quick release body 61 isrecessed into both the upper body 20 and lower body 30, with only thethreaded end 63 visible and protruding through the bottom cap 40. Thethreaded end 63 is locked in place by a wingnut 42.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment in a closed and locked position witha dumbbell 80. The quick release body 61 is recessed in the upper body20 and lower body 30. FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment with the quickrelease body 61 locked in place with wingnut 42 and a dumbbell 80 lockedin place.

FIGS. 7-10 show drawings of an alternative embodiment that does notrequire an end cap 40 to lock the dumbbell 80 into place. There arethree main components comprising a handle 110, an upper body 120, and alower body 130 that are releasably linked together. The handle 110 has ahandle portion 111 comprising a loop structure that attaches to thehandle body 112 in two locations, though different designs couldcomprise more or fewer attachment points. The handle body 112 furthercomprises a handle body receiver 113 which is designed to mate with athreaded top cap 151 at a threaded top cap projection 152. The threadedtop cap projection 152 is cylindrical and projects down into the handlebody receiver 113 which has a slightly larger diameter so that thethreaded top cap 151 can freely turn. The handle body 112 furthercomprises handle body grooves 114 that radiate from the center axis ofthe handle body 112. The handle body grooves 114 interdigitate withupper body ridges 124 to lock the orientation of the handle 110 relativeto the dumbbell (not shown). In the preferred embodiment the handle 110has eight handle body grooves 114 that allow the handle 110 to rotate atforty-five degree increments relative to the dumbbell 80. Alternativeembodiments could utilize a greater number of handle body grooves 114 toincrease the number of potential configurations. In a further embodimentthe handle body bottom surface could have various concave shapedmodifications that could receive complementary convex shapedmodifications on the upper body top surface. For example, a golf balllike handle body bottom surface could match contact with the upper bodytop surface in almost any orientation along the handle 110 axis. Thehandle 110 is fixed in orientation relative to the upper body 120 via astud 121 that is permanently fixed in the upper body 120. The stud 121passes through a spring 191 and the handle body 112 and into thethreaded top cap receiver. When the threaded top cap 151 is tighteneddown it compresses the spring 191 and forces the handle 110 to lock intoplace. When the threaded top cap 151 is loosened up it releases thefrictional grip between the handle body grooves 114 and the upper bodyridges 124 allowing freedom of rotation between the handle 110 and upperbody 120. The upper body 120 and lower body 130 are connected at thefront by a quick release mechanism that comprises a quick release body192, a proximal mounting pin 196 disposed in the upper body 120, aspacer washer 193, and a release knob 194. The quick release mechanismdetermines whether the upper body 120 and lower body 130 are in a lockedclosed position or in an unlocked open position. The upper body 120 andlower body 130 are permanently connected at a distal mount comprising adistal mounting pin 195 that passes through two upper body mountingholes 199 disposed in a distal portion of the upper body 120 and lowerbody mounting hole 198 disposed in the distal portion of the lower body130. The distal mount allows the upper body 120 and lower body 130 toopen and receive a dumbbell 80 when the quick release mechanism is in anunlocked position. The upper body 120 is permanently connected to thequick release body 192. The upper body 120 has a proximal mounting pinhole 200 that receives a proximal mounting pin 196. The mounting pin 196further passes through a proximal mount pin hole 197 disposed in a topportion of the quick release body 192.

The upper body 120 and lower body 130 are releaseably connected at aproximal portion of the upper body 120 and proximal portion of the lowerbody 130. The quick release body 192 can pivot away from the upper body120 in to an open position to receive a dumbbell 80. If the quickrelease body 192 is pivoted towards the upper body 120 it will contact aproximal groove in the lower body 130, the closed position with adumbbell attached. The quick release body 192 has a lower portion thatis threaded and passes through the spacer washer 193 into the releaseknob 194. The release knob 194 is threaded and when twisted pushed thespacer washer 193 against the locking seat 183 disposed in the proximalgroove of the lower body 130. The quick release body 192 is completelytightened when spacer washer 193 is pressed tightly against the lockingseat 183, the locked position.

When the quick release body 192 is in the open position the upper body120 and lower body 130 are free to open and receive a dumbbell 80. Thedumbbell mounting surface is disclosed as a smooth surface, butalternative embodiments could be designed to accommodate commerciallyavailable dumbbells. Additional features could include surfacemodification to increase texture to improve grip so that the dumbbell 80will not slip or move once the quick release body 192 is in the closedand locked position.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the particularcombination of parts described and illustrated herein are intended torepresent only one embodiment of the invention, and is not intended toserve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A releasable kettle bell handle comprising an upper body, lower body,handle portion, and locking mechanism, the upper body and the lower bodyhaving matching concave surfaces to accommodate a cylindrical weightbody and further complement the upper body and lower body surface thatcome in contact with each other and the locking mechanism connectsthrough the upper and the lower body and fixes the upper body to thehandle portion.
 2. Method of making a releasable kettlebell comprisingeither cast metal or machining.
 3. Method of using a releasablekettlebell handle comprising inserting a cylindrical weight body portionbetween an upper body and lower body and attaching the cylindricalweight body portion to the upper body, the lower body, and a handleportion.